Pegasus in Space (40 page)

“The colonel has expedited everything, Admiral,” Peter said, and was it only Rhyssa who noticed the subtly more mature expression on his face? “Possibly to get rid of the hotcake I seem to be.”

“Mr. Reidinger,” Watari protested.

This has been a learning experience for Peter
, Dorotea remarked.
And little was on the original agenda of ‘surveying.’

“I should be finished ‘seeing,’ ” and Peter inclined his head just perceptibly in Rhyssa’s direction, “everything I might need by tomorrow.”

Incredulous, she sank back in her chair, wondering why she hadn’t ever considered the possibility that Peter, in gestalt with a generator—anywhere in the solar system—could ’path to her. Possibly, she told herself with rueful honesty, because she’d been able to ’path anyone she’d ever met on Earth and had never needed to extend her range until that moment of sheer terror at the thought of losing Peter. How limiting!

Why has your mouth dropped open, Rhyssa? It’s not appropriate. Pay attention, child!
Dorotea’s tone reprimanded.
Ah. Boris has just received relevant information
.

Hastily Rhyssa redirected her attention to the LEO Commissioner. He had his notepad in hand.

“Two names of Shimaz’s court-authorized approved relatives match those who have sent messages to Albert Ponce,” the Commissioner was saying. “I think we need files on those who have daily contact with Shimaz.”

“Only the guards on a daily basis, Roznine,” Watari replied. “He’s been so obstreperous, he had to be placed in a separate cell. Even when we make him work, he messes up so he’s really not worth the cost of the air he breathes. No one likes the man.”

“Liking and doing his bidding are two entirely different matters, Colonel. I can rule out nothing in this murder attempt that might possibly show us even the most remote connections between two convicted felons on widely separated satellites, both of whom have sufficient reason to wish to harm Peter Reidinger and/or any other parapsychic.”

“But surely they’ve known about General Greene, since he teleports supplies to Padrugoi.” Watari replied.

“Knowing, and having the materials to hand and the opportunity to use them appropriately, are also factors,” Boris said.

“The equipment needed, the highly specialized type of epoxy, the MPU circuits would surely be beyond a convict’s pittance—” Watari broke off.

Boris’s smile stopped him. “Not Ponce’s. He consistently wins large sums of credit betting. Shimaz may provide for whatever he might lack—if we do indeed establish links between the two criminals—via his relatives. There is also the connection between Shimaz and Ludmilla Barchenka. He was involved in the Padrugoi construction, you know. I don’t know how friendly they were. Be that as it may, the connection between Ponce and the prince was firmly established during their trial.”

“But technically—”

“Technically,” Boris continued, ignoring Watari’s interruption, “Ponce was a good enough technician to rig his own special effects. He has also, we noted from Station files, been accessing a variety of educational texts.” Boris’s grin was ironic. “From the titles, he has been keeping up to date.” The LEO Commissioner held up his hand to forestall any response from Watari. “It is a facet of the penal code that a prisoner may have access to unclassified study materials to promote his rehabilitation.”

“Shimaz has no such access nor demanded any.”

Boris nodded. “He was accustomed to employing experts to advise him. There is a very active group on Earth that insists no man, or woman, is beyond rehabilitation.”

Watari struggled not to comment on that point. He had to cope with the prison facility that sequestered those who were psychologically unable, or unlikely to accept rehabilitation.

“Your difficulties are appreciated, Colonel,” Dirk Coetzer said. “Major Cyberal, as the executive officer of that facility, can you add anything that might link the two men?”

“The guards are, of course, all military. They are rotated frequently to avoid fraternization with the prisoners,” Cyberal said in a wry tone. “Of course, in Shimaz’s case that is unlikely since he is thoroughly despised and treated completely by the book.” This appeared to be an instance when Cyberal agreed with “the book.” “It is, however, quite possible that we have overlooked the power Shimaz can exert on his relatives or those who work for them.”

“Really, Major,” Watari started to protest.

“I have mentioned it in my reports, Colonel,” Cyberal said in an aside. “I have also had additional surveillance put on those who might be bribed or coerced. I have no
recent
”, he stressed the word, “report of any incident.”

“It wouldn’t necessarily be ‘recent,’ ” Boris said.

“I’ll send you all relevant files in a secured blip, sir,” the major said, and swung his chair to the second console.

“Include everything since Shimaz was transferred to the First Base High Security Facility at Oceanus Procellarum,” Boris said at his most formal and forbidding.

“Yes, sir.”

Admiral Coetzer spoke into the silence. “Then the Limo will begin its return to Padrugoi by Friday morning?”

“Yes, Admiral,” Watari said.

“With passengers?”

A flicker of relief crossed Watari’s face.

“Who will have been monitored by me,” Johnny Greene said, straightening from doodling on the paper in front of him.

Watari shot him a look.

“Oh,” and Johnny raised a hand, “discreetly, Colonel. Discreetly. While it is generally known that I teleport, it is not known that I ’path as well.” He shifted in his chair, watching Watari before he added mendaciously, “Of course, I generally need to have established some sort of tactile contact to do so. In view of the problem we experienced on the way out, oblige me in this and give me a list of those who are scheduled to be on whichever Limo is used for the return trip.”

“Of course,” Watari replied with a brisk nod of his head. “If I might suggest it, Admiral,” and he continued when Coetzer gestured for him to continue, “the tightest security at Padrugoi might be advisable.”

“Already in effect,” Coetzer said blandly.

“I have a legitimate excuse to remain onstation,” Boris said, his eyes glancing from Rhyssa to Dorotea. “I will do so, with your permission, Admiral.”

“Granted.”

“I am reassured,” Dorotea said sardonically. She gave a sigh. “It is too bad that the punishment does not fit the crime, isn’t it, Colonel Watari?”

“Doro-te-a!” Rhyssa exclaimed, knowing exactly what her old friend and mentor meant.

Well, it would be fitting and relieve the colonel no end
.

Boris caught the inference and regarded the silver-haired elderly Talent with a mildly reproving glance. “The World Government does not sanction either capital punishment for offenses or unusual and inhumane restraints, Dorotea Horvath.”

“And that speaks well of the current level of humanity,” Dorotea agreed wholeheartedly. “Except,” she added in a very low voice, “for one or two I could name.”

“A long file is coming through on the secured channel,” Dash Sakai said from his place at the conference room console.

“My thanks, Major,” Boris said, and rose. “Bindra!” He motioned to the Padrugoi security officer who had remained silent in the background during the conference. “If you will take charge of that and initiate a review, I shall return to your office shortly.” Now he turned to Coetzer. “That satisfies my immediate requirements, Admiral.”

“Mine, too. Ladies?” and Dirk gestured to Rhyssa and Dorotea.

Though there were many questions Rhyssa wished to ask Peter about his phenomenal telepathic range, this was not the time. The rogue had the audacity to grin at her as if he completely understood her dilemma. Which, considering his sudden spurt of Talent growth, he probably did.

“I’ll see you when I see you then, Peter. Johnny, Colonel, Major.” Rhyssa rose.

Dorotea was on her feet, too. “I’d best rescue that nice yeoman from Amariyah. Be sure Peter eats enough up there, John.”

“Oh, I will, Dorotea,” Johnny said. He and the others had risen as well, out of polite habit even though the women were not in their immediate presence.

Watari leaned forward, fingers raised, and Cyberal broke the connection.

I
n the colonel’s office on First Base, Peter sat down again, elbows on the armrests and fingers lightly linked. He chuckled to himself at the memory of Rhyssa’s stunned expression when he’d contacted her telepathically. He hadn’t really been sure that he could ’path that lonely long distance to Padrugoi. Though why an ephemeral thought would be harder to send than a solid mass escaped him.

What’s funny, Pete?
Johnny asked, and for all the general’s ready humor and whimsical view of life, his present mood was quite serious.

Merely Dorotea’s remark about punishment fitting the crime
.

Oh? That cocoon thing you were stuck in?

Peter nodded.

“Watari, is that passenger list ready?” Johnny asked, holding his hand out.
I’ll tell you one thing: Watari would love to have that bundle of depraved corruption totally immobilized. It’s a wonder he hasn’t fallen into a fault or run out of air
.

There aren’t faults near First Base on Oceanus Procellarum. And according to what Vin Cyberal has told me, he’s not allowed outside
, Lance said,
though there are many who wouldn’t think twice about pushing him naked out of an airlock
.

Lance rose from his chair. “Pete, time for some tucker? I heard what Dorotea said. I’m not having her fault me. If you’ll excuse us, Watari?”

Peter grinned, sneaking a glance at Vin Cyberal.

“Yes, yes, of course,” and Watari was busy at his console. “You’re dismissed, Major.”

Peter rolled his eyes.

He’s really worried, Pete, after Boris’s little sermon
, Johnny said.
I’d
be along as point man if I didn’t have to clear up a few things here with Hiroga. It’s only another thirty-six hours and then we’ll be free as the birdies again
.

Outside the colonel’s office, Corporal Hinojosa awaited them, smiling as they emerged. She was such an anodyne to her colonel.

“I gotta get some food in this bottomless pit, Nina,” Lance said, indicating Peter.

“I’ll catch you after lunch, Peter,” Cyberal said. “Got something to look into.” He walked swiftly into the main control area.

“I didn’t burn that many calories today, Lance,” Peter said in mild objection.

Lance gave him a wide-eyed look. “You weren’t saving any either the way you were bounding about the hydroponics unit, the back acres of Clemens, and the main storage depot. That’s the best place for one telepad.”

“Yes, it would be,” Peter agreed absently. It had been great to know that Maree had had a tour of Padrugoi’s CELSS. If they were anything like the ones here at First Base, no wonder she had been all keyed up. Poor kid. She’d want to have a good yak with him when he got home. “Do I get to the observatory this afternoon?”

“Yes, sir, you do,” the corporal replied as they boarded the elevator.

“I’m looking forward to that one,” Peter said. He would have liked to have seen that facility earlier but had acquiesced to the tour that Watari had planned of the
important
sites: the (correct) landing site; the main supply reception area; the parking fields; the sector where the containers of the REE, rare earth elements, that paid some of the costs of First Base were assembled; the emergency airlocks; and the secured holding area for sensitive deliveries. The table in Watari’s office was also available for small parcels.

The elevator doors parted and Nina gave a quick look back and forth before she stepped out and led Peter left, toward the officers’ mess. She also looked inside the mess, her eyes darting about the room, before she allowed Peter past her.

It’ll be a bloody relief to get out of all this hypersurveillance
, Peter remarked though he let nothing of his disgruntlement mar the smile he gave Nina as he passed her.

As it was well past noon, there were only four in the facility, three
female supply officers at one table and a male communications lieutenant at another. The mess sergeant himself took their orders, recommending the beef stew. By now Peter was aware, having seen those facilities, that First Base produced all its foodstuffs, fresh from hydroponic tanks or the protein vats. So far the sergeant’s recommendations had been spot-on so both he and Lance ordered it, plus green salads that would have been picked that morning from the tanks.

“Just what did Dorotea mean by ‘punishment fit the crime,’ Pete?” Lance asked. “She had a gleam in her eye that boded no good. Oops, sorry, lad. Caught that flicker.”

“It’s all right, Lance. It isn’t generally known that Shimaz abducted Tirla and me.”

Lance’s expression echoed the shock in his mind. The capture and conviction of a royal Malaysian Prince for child abuse and organ farming had been well publicized. But not how the criminals had been apprehended.

“We were nabbed just as we came out of the Old-Fashioned Palace of Gastronomical Delights,” and Peter grinned wryly. “Gassed and then incarcerated in foam cocoons so we’d have no tactile contact. Not even with our own bodies. A lack of sensation didn’t affect me but it sure terrified the little kids. Tirla got angry enough to ’path—first time she’d done that—to Dorotea and she broke herself free.”